Hong Kong schools forced to axe 70 Primary One classes as student population shrinks
Education sector leader says thousands of dependents arriving under talent scheme will do little to alleviate dip in primary school enrolments
Seventy Primary One classes in 66 Hong Kong schools have been scrapped in the new academic year, with an education sector representative observing that the student shortfall will persist despite tens of thousands of dependents arriving under the city’s talent policies.
Ten of the 70 schools opened with either a single Primary One class or none at all, as years of dwindling enrolment put the institutions at risk of closure and prompted industry veterans to warn of even more dire times to come.
The data was revealed on Monday in profiles of 453 public and government-aided primary schools published by the Committee on Home-School Co-operation - profiles that serve as key reference materials for parents selecting schools for their children.
The latest report showed 66 schools had cut a total of 70 Primary One classes in the new academic year, with four institutions forced to close two such classes.
Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said on Sunday that three to four primary and secondary schools would cease operations in the next five years, adding that she expected the student population would continue to fall.
The minister said student enrolment among secondary schools was “very stable” this year, according to Education Bureau figures, and there was no need to reduce their classes.